Record-breaking T. rex fossil auction and scientific concerns over private ownership
Consensus Summary
A T. rex skeleton nicknamed 'Gus' was sold at a Sotheby's auction in New York for $US50.1 million ($71.8m) in [DATE UNVERIFIED], setting a new record for the most expensive dinosaur fossil auction. Discovered on a South Dakota ranch in 2021 and excavated between 2021 and 2023, 'Gus' is 11.6 metres long, 3.8 metres tall, and estimated to be 67 million years old. The auction lasted 10 minutes with seven bidders, surpassing the previous record of $US44.6 million ($64 million) for a Stegosaurus named 'Apex' sold in 2024. Both sources agree on the fossil's size, discovery location, and auction details, though they differ slightly on its completeness and age. Scientists expressed concerns about private ownership limiting research access, while auction houses defended the sale as reflecting the fossil's scientific and cultural value. The Guardian noted that 'Gus' contains 183 fossilised bones and 30 of 32 rare gastralia, while the ABC highlighted its 63% completeness. The auction underscores the growing market for dinosaur fossils and the debate over their commercialization versus scientific preservation.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The auction lasted 10 minutes with seven bidders competing
- 'Gus' is 11.6 metres long and made up of 183 fossilised bones
- 'Gus' was discovered on a South Dakota cattle ranch in 2021
- 'Gus' is estimated to be 67 million years old
- The previous record for a fossil auction was a Stegosaurus named 'Apex,' sold for $US44.6 million ($64 million) in 2024
- 'Gus' is approximately 61% complete by bone count
- The auction was held at Sotheby's New York headquarters
- 'Gus' stands 3.8 metres (12.5ft) tall
- The skeleton was excavated between 2021 and 2023
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- 'Gus' is 63% complete
- The previous record was held by a Stegosaurus named 'Apex' bought by hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin
- The fossil lived 72 to 66 million years ago
- The auction price was $US50.1 million ($71.8m) with no mention of £37.4m equivalent
- The auction price was $50.1m with fees (£37.4m)
- Pre-sale estimate was $20m to $30m (£15m to £22.4m)
- 'Gus' has 30 of the 32 rarely found gastralia (belly ribs)
- 'Gus' is 75 to 80% complete in terms of bone mass
- The skeleton's body length is approximately 38ft, skull length 54in, and femur length 50.39in
- The first T. rex sold at auction was 'Sue,' a 4-metre-tall specimen bought in 1997 for $8m
- The auction house described 'Gus' as requiring special handling due to size
- The skeleton's head is not mounted on the body but displayed separately in Sotheby's lobby
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states 'Gus' is 63% complete, while the Guardian states it is 61% complete by bone count and 75 to 80% complete by bone mass
- The ABC says 'Gus' lived 72 to 66 million years ago, while the Guardian says it is 67 million years old
- The ABC does not mention the £37.4m equivalent of the auction price, while the Guardian explicitly states it
- The Guardian mentions a 4-metre-tall T. rex named 'Sue' sold in 1997 for $8m, which the ABC does not reference
- The Guardian specifies 'Gus' was excavated over a three-year period, while the ABC does not mention the duration
Source Articles
Buyer drops nearly $72m on one of world's most complete T-rex skeletons
One of the largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons discovered makes history as the most valuable dinosaur fossil bought at auction.
T rex fossil ‘Gus’ sells for $50.1m at New York auction, setting new record
Skeleton judged to be one of the largest and most complete ever unearthed was excavated on a ranch in South Dakota A vast, fossilized Tyrannosaurus rex nicknamed Gus sold at Sotheby’s in New York on Tuesday for $50.1m with fees (£37.4m) to a phone bidder – making it the most valuable dinosaur fossil sold at auction. It also sold well above a pre-sale estimate of $20m to $30m (£15m to £22.4m). Continue reading...
Sale of multimillion-dollar T rex skeleton is big headache for scientists
Palaeontologists warn before auction at Sotheby’s in New York that super-rich collectors are harming research With its dagger-like teeth, bone-crushing bite and behemothic size, the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex ruled western North America during the late Cretaceous period. Now its fossilised remains are about to dominate the auction house, with a price tag to terrify punters. On Tuesday, one of the largest and most complete T rex skeletons discovered to date is to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New